College of Education & Human Development s1

NSU

University Supervisor

Handbook

2010-2011

College of Education & Human Development

Office of Field Experience & Clinical Practice

orthwestern State University was founded in 1884 when the state legislature chartered the Louisiana State Normal School. For the past 126 years NSU has been involved in preparing young men and women for a career in education. We truly believe that the future of our nation rests largely in the quality of our schools, and that the quality of our schools is primarily determined by the competency of the teacher in the classroom.

The NSU College of Education & Human Development is committed to providing our students with a positive, professional, and practical student teaching experience. University supervisors and cooperating/mentor teachers are the professionals who work with Student Teachers to ensure a successful student teaching experience which will encourage our pre-service teachers to enter the education profession as enthusiastic and effective teachers.

Thank you for your service to Northwestern and the College of Education & Human Development as a university supervisor. The university supervisor is one of the most important factors in the student teaching program since she or he serves as a liaison between the cooperating teacher and the College of Education & Human Development. Much of the success of the student teaching program is dependent upon the university supervisor’s supervision and feedback concerning the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of the Student Teacher candidate.

College of Education

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

During clinical experience, prospective teachers are provided the opportunity to practice instructional skills, to apply knowledge from specialized academic areas, and to develop personal interaction styles in actual classroom situations. Overall goals of the student teaching program at Northwestern State University are to provide experiences that will enable the Student Teacher to:

· Develop entry-level competence in the full range of teaching skills and functions.

· Apply a reflective, analytical approach to teaching.

· Enhance personal self-worth and professional growth.

· Apply essential knowledge bases to classroom experiences.

· Demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of pupil and cultural diversity.

· Base informed instructional decisions on creative, critical thinking and assume responsibility for decisions.

· Integrate instructional technology into student learning activities.

· Demonstrate a commitment to the professional goals of the teacher education program's MODELS FOR LEARNING

Specific performance objectives for the Student Teacher are in the major areas of PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, INSTRUCTION, and PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS and incorporate the Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching (Louisiana Department of Education, 1995) and the characteristics of the MODELS FOR LEARNING. Northwestern State University Student Teachers are expected to:

· Plan effectively.

· Maintain an environment conducive to learning. Maximize time available for instruction.

· Manage learner behavior to provide productive learning opportunities. Deliver instruction effectively.

· Design and develop student learning activities that integrate instructional technology.

· Present appropriate content.

· Provide opportunities for student involvement in the learning process.

· Assess student progress continuously.

· Establish a classroom environment that reflects an understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity and exceptionalities.

· Display evidence of professional growth and development.

· Exhibit appropriate interpersonal and communication skills.

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH PARTICIPATING PARISHES

Northwestern State University and cooperating school systems identified for student teaching assignments have entered into written contractual agreements. Selection of cooperating schools and teachers, qualifications of Cooperating Teachers, and Northwestern's responsibility to cooperating school systems and teachers are outlined in the agreement. Copies of current agreements are on file with parish school boards.

SELECTION OF COOPERATING SCHOOLS

Northwestern State University Student Teachers are assigned to cooperating public school districts in the following parishes: Avoyelles, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn. Criteria used to select cooperating schools include: recommendation by parish school board administrators; regional accreditation and state approval status; availability of certified Cooperating Teachers; geographic location and proximity to Northwestern; existence of culturally diverse and exceptional populations; and curricular emphases.

SELECTION OF COOPERATING TEACHERS

Cooperating teachers selected for the student teaching program at Northwestern State University must have:

· Recommendation by district school board administrators and/or Cooperating Principal

· Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in subject area/grade level

· Capacity to mentor an adult.

· Capacity to have a positive impact on student learning.

· And meet state requirements with any one of the following conditions:

· A valid Type A or Level 3 Louisiana certificate in the field of the supervisory assignment;

· A valid Type B or Level 2 Louisiana certificate in the field of the supervisory assignment and successful completion of the three-credit-hour course in the supervision of student teaching;

· A valid Type B or Level 2 Louisiana certificate in the field of the supervisory assignment and successful completion of assessor training through the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program; or

· A valid Type B or Level 2 Louisiana certificate in the field of the supervisory assignment and National Board Certification.

The Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice has the primary responsibility for the placement of Student Teachers. Placement decisions for Student Teacher candidates are based on numerous factors including: (1) data on field experiences of the teacher candidate prior to student teaching; (2) recommendations and feedback from methods faculty and cooperating teachers concerning the teacher candidate; (3) teacher candidate interview with Director of Field Experience; and (4) recommendation and input from district personnel and/or principal on possible cooperating teachers for each Student Teacher candidate.

The selection of cooperating/mentor teachers is made by the Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice from a database of teachers recommended for this assignment by school and district level personnel.

EMPLOYMENT BY NORTHWESTERN

University supervisors, cooperating teachers and principals are employed on a semester basis. University supervisors who are not full-time faculty of NSU are considered adjunct faculty. Upon initial employment, university supervisors, cooperating teachers and principals must complete all data forms and furnish information requested by the Personnel Department and the Office of Field Experience and Clinical Practice at Northwestern State University.

PAYMENT OF STIPENDS

Stipends paid to university supervisors are in accordance with established university policy for adjunct pay. Payment of stipends will be paid by NSU on a monthly basis.

The process is detailed as follows:

· Each month complete the Northwestern State University Part-Time Faculty Attendance Report and submit to the Office of Field Experience & Clinical Practice.

· When the report has been returned to the Office of Field Experience and Clinical Practice, payment will be prepared by the Business Office and sent to faculty member.

· Stipend payments will be made monthly.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

The Office of Field Experience & Clinical Practice (OFE) will reimburse supervisors for mileage (at the University rate) for the purpose of supervising Student Teachers and Interns. The OFE cannot pay fees for rental cars that are rented by supervisors.

Reimbursement for travel should be requested on the Northwestern State University Travel Expense Report Form. The form should indicate that the request is being made for travel for the supervision of Student Teachers. Be sure to indicate your mileage to and from the various destinations.

Sign the form and submit the completed form to the OFE.

It is preferable that mileage reimbursement requests be submitted monthly.

Travel reimbursements will be made in a single check at the end of the semester.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

Cooperating School

The cooperating school retains the legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of its pupils. Additionally, the cooperating school assures that cooperating teachers and Student Teachers understand and follow established local school district and school policies and procedures. The following areas are normally addressed by district and school-level policies: punctuality; handling of absences; personal and professional conduct; dress and grooming; attending to assigned responsibilities such as hall duty with the cooperating teacher; professional knowledge and competence; and discipline and classroom control.

Student Teachers must be under the constant and daily supervision of a qualified cooperating teacher employed by Northwestern State University. Student Teachers are not to serve as substitute teachers during the student teaching assignment. In the absence of the cooperating teacher, a substitute teacher may need to assume the ultimate responsibility for the operation of the classroom.

Cooperating Teacher

Cooperating teachers employed by Northwestern State University are expected to:

· Indicate willingness to participate in and uphold the policies of the student teaching program and exhibit a positive attitude toward working with Student Teachers, University Supervisors, and Northwestern State University.

· Demonstrate characteristics of MODELS FOR LEARNING--a master teacher and professional educator.

· Model effective teaching behaviors while allowing the Student Teacher to develop his/her own teaching style.

· Induct the Student Teacher into classroom procedures as completely as possible and work toward an assumption of full teaching responsibility by the Student Teacher.

· Develop a teaching and observation schedule for the duration of the student teaching assignment, after conferring with the Student Teacher concerning subject matter competencies and preferences. Copies of the schedule should be furnished to the Student Teacher and University Supervisor as soon as possible after the beginning of the assignment.

· Confer with the Student Teacher on a daily basis concerning lesson plans and procedures. Approve all lesson plans developed by the Student Teacher before lessons are taught.

· Acquaint the Student Teacher with available instructional technology and instruct the Student Teacher in its use.

· Evaluate the performance of the Student Teacher as indicated in Evaluation of Student Teaching Performance.

· Confer with the Student Teacher concerning pupil evaluation and grading policies and procedures; check tests prepared by Student Teacher in advance of test administration to ensure fairness and validity.

· Attend inservice conferences and professional development sessions for cooperating school personnel held at the University

· Contact the University Supervisor or Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice immediately if major weaknesses are detected in a Student Teacher's performance. Supervise any needed remediation plans for strengthening performance of a marginal Student Teacher.

Student Teacher

During the student teaching experience, Student Teachers are to assume responsibility for completing the following tasks and assignments:

· Complete a STUDENT TEACHING AGREEMENT at the orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester.

· Accept and follow through on recommendations and suggestions made by Cooperating Teachers, Cooperating Principals, and University Supervisors relating to improving instructional effectiveness.

· Complete a Professional Portfolio and submit for evaluation by the due date.

· Teach at least 180 hours and observe at least 100 hours during the semester of student teaching. The 180 hours of teaching and 100 hours of observing represent a minimal requirement. Responsibilities for teaching, observing, participating, and conferring with supervisory personnel continue throughout the assignment until the last day of student teaching. Any deviation from this procedure must be approved by the Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice.